Most reliable diesel engine?

[SD1992]

I am looking to replace my 1.8 Mondeo with a diesel car of the same size, and unfortunately I have heard many stories of the 2.0 TDCI Mondeos having issues with DMFs and injectors.

I have always liked the Vectra C and would drive one very happily. My question is, what is the most reliable diesel engine?

My budget would be around £3k.

Thanks!

[Rebellion8878]

I would say the 1.9 120bhp model or the 3.0 v6 cdti, I believe the 1.9cdti 150 model has similar problems to the mondeo 2.0tdci.

[m8internet]

I previously had a 2003 Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Ghia
Lovely car, but was dreadfully unreliable, then the engine failed a few weeks before its first MoT

Gauging reliability on engines is difficult, as there can be larger numbers of one type and less of the other
I chose the 3.0 V6 CDTI, although slightly more expensive it is not a VX engine
This presents its own problems (as I know from previous experience with the PSA engines)
However in general a V6 engine lasts longer and is more reliable, at the cost of fuel efficiency

Personally, go for the best you can afford
Look for consistent mileage and service history

[Grumpy1954]

Well I have a 1.9CDTi, the 150bhp version, and as my first diesel I've found the power and economy very good. The usual probs seem to be swirl valve rod coming off, egr valve getting clogged (improved manifold etc on post 57 seems to have helped them) and, on the manuals, the DMF goes. Mine is auto as I'm disabled, so no prob there. Does mean I have the dreaded DPF, but last info I had was on the auto's, they are mostly in the right gear for the speed, so provided you don't exclusively to short journeys (less than 10 miles), I do 15 -20 usually, with a monthly blast on motorways, and mine is so far, quite happy.
You'll find some will say only buy a V6, other only a petrol turbo. At the end of the day, buy what will suit the use you intend to put it to - and make sure you have a good warranty just in case.

[SD1992]

Unfortunately I can't afford the insurance on a 3.0, as I am only 18!

What are the older 2.0 and 2.2 DTI engines like?

[Dazzy2006]

I have the 2.2dti and cant really fault it - the main things that seem to go on the dti is boost pipes, egr valve and boost sensor getting clogged up

[SD1992]

I have the 2.2dti and cant really fault it - the main things that seem to go on the dti is boost pipes, egr valve and boost sensor getting clogged up

Are these particularly difficult to repair? I roughly know my way around and engine and have some mechanic friends that can help me out a bit

Also, what is the performance like compared to a 1.8 petrol?

[Dazzy2006]

Are these particularly difficult to repair? I roughly know my way around and engine and have some mechanic friends that can help me out a bit

Also, what is the performance like compared to a 1.8 petrol?

Egr valve and boost sensor usually only need cleaning (instructions on how to do both in the how to section)

Boost pipe is a doddle to fit and costs about £60 off ebay

My last car was a 2004 1.8 petrol mondeo and the vectra will easily out accelarate it

[SD1992]

Egr valve and boost sensor usually only need cleaning (instructions on how to do both in the how to section)

Boost pipe is a doddle to fit and costs about £60 off ebay

My last car was a 2004 1.8 petrol mondeo and the vectra will easily out accelarate it

Good news so far!

Another couple of quick questions if you don't mind -

Roughly how long do turbos last?
And have you had any issues with burning oil as what car seems to think these engines can suffer from?

[Dazzy2006]

the turbo on mine was replaced before i bought it at around 70000 and mine doesnt use any oil at all and that's just under 100k now